Successful deer hunters donated 317,882 pounds of venison to the Share the Harvest Program during the 2011 Missouri Archery and Firearms Deer Seasons. Approximately 2,000 pounds were donated locally and distributed by the local food banks in Cedar County. A special thank you goes out to all the sportsmen whose generosity made this possible.

Many other individuals help make this program a success. Approved distributing organizations are the Church of Christ food pantry in El Dorado Springs and the food pantry in Stockton administered by the Stockton Ministerial Alliance. Both organizations do a great job serving the community and have expressed many times their appreciation for those that assist with this program. According to Pat Patterson, Stockton food panty administrator, the need is great and high quality protein source is very well received and very much appreciated.

Hunters who want to participate simply take their field dressed deer to an approved processor and let the processor know how much venison they wish to donate. A hunter can donate a couple of pounds or they may donate the whole deer. With the help of the Conservation Federation of Missouri and local sponsors, the processing fee is paid 100 percent for the first 50 whole deer donated. R.S. and C. Processing in El Dorado Springs is the approved processor in this area.

If you decide to donate a whole deer or a pound of venison, you will be helping a local family or an individual receive a valuable source of food. At the same time, you will be helping keep Missouri’s deer herd healthy while enjoying the many outdoor experiences Missouri has to offer.

For additional questions about the “Share the Harvest program, please call Agent Derek Farwell at 417/830-6162.